ANTICS OF FANATIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20929, 7 January 1938, Page 7

ANTICS OF FANATIC

SEQUEL TO SENSATIONAL REPORTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 6, 8.30 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, January 6. The religious fanatic, Mark Silverman, has been arrested and lodged in a psychopathic hospital. He denied nudity and dominating the couple. He explained his Messiah hallucination by saying he was merely a freethinker and believed in the power of mind over matter, and also in the health qualities of vegetables, fruits and nuts. His sister-in-law said the sojourn in the hills was the most fun she had ever had. A forest ranger said he watched the party for a fortnight and did not see any nudity.

Sheriffs and deputies of San Gabriel hastened to the Conayon to rescue a young couple, reported to be roaming the mountains like animals and nearly nude. They were reported to be dominated by a religious fanatic, Mark Silverman who, according to the mother, arrived home recently and kicked open the door and shouted, “I am Jesus Christ.” He added: “The world will end on Christmas eve.” He destroyed everything in the house and forced his mother, brother and sister-in-law into an automobile and drove for the canyon. He released his mother last Sunday. She told the deputies that Silmerman forbade them to wear clothes and denied them most foods. They were compelled to eat nuts, herbs and what they could salvage from garbage cans.